Support for a dental drill



7 w. sou.

- SUPPORT FORA DENTAL DRILL.

IV 50A L E INVENTOR.

Filed Sept. 15 1953 United States Patent O 2,801,469 SUPPORT FOR A DENTAL DRILL William N. Soll, Lang Beach, Calif. Applicationeptember 15, 1953, Serial N0. 330,312

9 Claims. (C1. 32-25 The present invention relates generally to the field of dentistry, and more particnlarly to a novel support for a dental drill.

In the practice of dentistry it is sometirnes necessary to drill two 0r more parallel holes in spaced-apart teeth. One example occurs where a bridge is to be anchored between two spaced-apart teeth. The bridge is generally supported between these spaced-apart teeth by a pair of parallel pins, which pins are inserted Within two holes formed in the teeth. Heretofore there has not been.providetl a satisfactory apparatus for drilling the two holes in eiract parallelism.. Accordingly, the dentist, using a couvehtional handpiece generally relies upon his naked eye fr inaking such bores Parallel to each Other. More often than not, these bores are not actnallyparallel, and accordingly the bridge-anchoring plus must be bent at different angles relative to each other in order that they may be inserted within the two holes. Bending these anchdrpins to the required angles must be done by the trial and error inethod and involves considerable time and efiort on the part of the dentist.

lt is a majr object of the present invention to provide an improved support for a dental drill which permits the drill to be utilized in drilling parallel holes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a support for a dental drill that is adapted to positively support said drill at a desired angle relative to a patients mouth whereby a plurality of parallel holes may be drilled in spaced-apart teeth of said patient.

' Another object is to provide a. Support of the aforedescribed nature which is simple and foolproof in operation. 1 1

' It is a yet further object of the invention to provide a support of the aforedescribed nature which is simple of design and rugged of construction whereby it may afiord a lang and useful service life.

An additional object is to provide a support for a dental drill which does not require any special training on the part of a dentist to become proficient in its use.

These and other objects and advaritages 0f the present invention will become apparent from the following de tailed description, when taken in conjunction with the appended drawifigs wherein:

Figure 1 is a {zerspective view of a preferred form of a support'for a dental drill embodying the present invention;

"Figu're 2 is an nlarged fragmentary side elevational view cf the support, taken partly in section;

Figure 3 is afragmentary perspective view of a modifi iation bf said support; and

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view showing how a dental .bridge is mounted by bores formed with the use cf said'support;

Referring to the drawings, and particularly Figures 1 and-2 thereof, the preferred form of support for a dental drill embodying thepresent invention broadly eomprises a horizontally-disposed parallelogram mechanism H mounted to a fixed point such as a Wall a verticallydisposed parallelogram mechanism V attached at one of 2 A its ends to the opposite side of the horizontally-disposed parallelogram mechanisrn H; and a dental drill D mounted by. the free end of the vertically-disposed parallelogram mechanism V for universal movement relative thereto.

The bit or burr 12 of the dental drill D is adapted to be.

rotated by an electric m otor 14 mounted by the horizontally-disposed parallelogr-am mechanism H through a flexible conductor 16.

More particularly, the horizontally-disposed parallelogram mechanisrn H includes a rear leg 18 which is shown rigidly secured to the wall 10 by screws or bolts 20. The ends of the rear leg 18 are pivotally connected to the rear ends of a pair of side legs. 24 and 26. The front endsbf these side legs are in tuin pivotally connected totl1e ends of a front leg 28. With this arrangement the front leg 28 will c0nstantly remain parallel to the.rear leg 18 during horiz otrtal movement of the fror1t leg relative to the rear leg. A set screw 29 may be provided for locking the legs against relative movement if d:sired.

The ver'tically-disposed parallelogram mechanism V? may be similar in construction to the so-called drafting' machines which are utilized extensively in the field of drafting for maintaining a straight edge parallel with the upper or lower edge of a drafting board. This mechanism iricludes a rear arm'30 and a forearm 32, which arms are pivotally iriterconnected at their adjoining ends by a pivot pin 34. The rear end of the rear arm 30 is rigidly secured to a mounting element 36 of generally hollow configuration. The mounting element 36 is journaled by a bushing 37, which bushing is keyed -to the intermediate portion 0f the front leg 28 cf the horizontally disposed parallelogram mechanisrh H. The electric motor 14 is affixed to the upper portion of the mounting element 36.

A fixed pulley (not shown) 'is keyed t the bu'shing 37 within the confines of the mounting element. The front end of the rear arm mounts a bushing element 40 of generally hollow configuration wherein is journaled one side ofthe pivot.pin 34. This pivot pin is keyed to a second pulley (not shown) that is encompassed by the bushing element 40. This pulley and the pulley disposed within the mounting element 36 are connected by a continuous band 42.

The rear end of the forearm 32 rigidly mounts a bushing element 44 wherein is rotatably journaled the portion of the pivot pin 34 not disposed within the bushing element 40. The front end cf the forearm 32 likewise mounts an0ther bushing element 46 wherein is journaled another pivot pin 48. The latter pivot pin journals a pulley 49 encompassed by the bushing element 46 (not shown). This pulley 49 is -adapted to be connected to the pulley (not shown) that iskeyed to the pivot pin 34 within the bushing element 44 by a second continuous band 50. The pulley 49 journals a scale ring 52 which may conveniently be calibrated in degrees. The pivot pin 48 is keyed to a disk 51 from which a support arm 53 radially extends. The disk and support arm are normally rotatable relative to scale ring 52. Suitable selectively engageable locking means are interposed betweeri the disk 51 and the scale ring 52, however, for locking these elements against relative rotation. Such locking means may be engaged by manipulation of a lever 54. With this arrangement, once the aforementioned locking means has been engaged the support arm 53 will be constantly maintained at the desired angle during vertical manipulation of the free end of the vertically disposed parallelegram mechanism V. Other suitable locking means may be provided for locking the scale ring 52 to the pivot pin 48, which locking means includes a lever 55.

Referring now to Figure 2, the free end 0f the support arm 53 is threadably secured to one end of a cylindrical housing 56. This housing 56 encornpasses a ball element 58 and a pair of Wedging blocks 60. The wedgingblocks' Patented Aug. 6, 1957 are interconnected by'means of a set screw 62 which protrudes from one side of the housing 56. Rotation of this set screw 62 will eflect movement of the wedging blocks toward and awayfromone another. Wheri the wedging blocks are moved toward one anotherthe ball element 58 will be urged against the end of the housing opposite the support arm 53. The frictional engagement of' the ball 58 with the frustro-conically shaped .inner surface of the housings end closure 63 will then lock the ball against movement relative to the housing. The ball 58 rigidly mounts a finger 66, which finger is integrally counected 'to a sleeve 68 at its opposite end. When the set screw 62 is loosened so as to.cause movement of the wedging blocks 60 away from one another, the ball elem ent 58 and its fingers 66 will be free to rotate about the axis of this finger. In this manner the angulation Qf/the tube 70 and bit l2.may be varied relative to the support arm 53. Once the desired setting of the tube and..bit relative to the support arm has been obtained the ball may.be locked relative to the housing 56 by tightening the set screw 62. The sleeve 68 encompasses the intermediateportion of a tube 70. The tube 70 journals a shaft. (not shown) to one end of which is secured the bit 12. The opposite end of the shaft is vkeyed to the conductor 16. The shaft. and the bit 12 are adapted to be rotated by means of the flexible conductor 16, which conductor is in turn caused to be. rotated by the electric motor 14. The.eonductor is eucompassed.by sheathing 71. The sheathing is supported upon the bushing element 44 by a guide72.

In Operation and with particular reference to'Figure 4, it may be assumed that a pair of bores 80 and 82 are to be formed in two spaced teeth 84 and 86, respectively, so as to receive a pair of parallel anchor pins 88 and 90 ofa bridge 92. The first step in forming the bores 80 and 82 requires that the desired angulation of the bit 12 be adjusted. Such adjustment is obtained by manipulation cf. the support arm 53 and the tube 70. The set screw 62 and the lockinglever 54 are then utilized to lock these members against movement relative to the scale ring 52 and the housing 56, respectively. Thereafter, the first bore 80 will be drilled. Next, the dental drill D is moved horizontally until the bit 12 is adjacent the second tooth 86. During such horizontal movement of the drill B the from leg 28 of the horizontally disposed parallelogram mechanism H will niove in a paral lel directon relative to its rear leg 18. Such parallel movement Will, of course, cause the free ends of the vertically disposed parallelogram mechanism V to be moved toward or away from the wall to a slight distance. Next, the dental drill D will be moved toward or away from the wall 10 whereby the bit 12 may form the second bore 82. During such movement the vertically disposed parallelogram mechanism V will cause the bit 12 to move in exact parallelism With the first bore 80. Accordingly, the bores 80 and 82 will be exactly parallel whereby they may readily receive the parallel anchor pins 88 and 90 of the bridge 92.

In Figure 3 there is shown a modification of the aforedescribed preferred form of invention. In this modification a horizontally disposed leg 100 is substituted for the horizontally disposed parallelogram mechanism H as a support member for the vertically disposed parallelogram mechanism V. The ends of this horizontal leg 100 are shown rigidly aflixed to a plate 102 by means of brackets 104. The plate 102 is secured to the Wall 10 by bolts or screws 106. The mounting element 36 of the vertically disposed parallelogram mechanism V is slidably supported by the horizontal leg 100. If desired, a selectively engageable locking mechanism 108 may be provided for locking the mechanism V against movement along the leg 100. The mode of operation of this form of invention is substantially similar to that of the pre: ferred form thereof.

It will be apparent that various modifications and changes may be made with respect to the foregoing detailed description. For example, it may prove desirable to provide a vertical pivotal connection between the rear arm mounting element 36 and the front leg 28, which connection could be selectively locked so as to facilitate drilling lower teeth. Such changes, however, do not depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

l. A support for a dental drill, comprising: a horizontally disposed support member securable to a. fixed point; a vertically disposed parallelogram mechanism attached at one of its ends to said support member; universal j0int means on the free end of said vertically disposed parallelogram mechanism, said universal joint means having a movable member which is directly counectible to said dental drill; and, selectively engageable lock means for.locking the movable member cf said universal joint means at a desired angularity relative to the free end of said parallelogram mechanism.

2. A support for a dental drill. comprising: a horizontally disposed parallelogram mechanism secured at one of its sides to a fixed point; a vertically disposed parallelogram mechanism attached at one of its ends to the opposite side of said horizontally disposed parallelogram mechanism; universal joint means on the free end of said vertically disposed parallelogram mechanism, said universal joint means having a movable member which is directly connectible to said dental drill; and, selectively engageable lock means for locking the movable member of said universal joint means at a desired angularity relative to the free end of said parallelogram mechanism.

3. A support for a dental drill, comprising: a horizontal bar secured to a fixed point; a vertically disposed parallelogram mechanism slidably attached at one of'its ends to said bar; universal joint means .on the free end of said vertically disposed parallelogram mechanism, said universal joint means having a movable member which is directly connectible to said dental drill; and, selectively engageable lock means for locking the movable member,

of said universal joint means at a desired angularity relative to the free end of said parallelogram mechanism.

4. A support for a dental drill, comprising: a horizontally disposed support member securable to a fixed point; a vertically disposed parallelogram mechanism attached at one of its ends to said support member; a support arm carried by the free end of said vertically disposed parallelogram mechanism; selectively engageable locking means for adjusting the angularity, between said free end and said support arm;means for mounting said dental drill formed 011 said support arm; and, means to adjust the angularity betweensaid support arm and said drill. v 5. A support for a dental drill, comprising: a horizontally disposed support member securable to, a fixed point; a vertically disposed parallelogram mechanism attached at one of its ends to said support member; a support arm carried by the freeend.of said vertically disposed parallelogram mechanism; selectively engageable locking means for adjusting the angularity between said free end and said support arm; a housing mounted by the free end of said support arm; a ball disposed within said housing; a finger formed on said ball and extending from said housing; means to adjustthe angularity of said ball relative to said housing; and, means for mounting said dental drill formed 011 said finger.

6. A support for a dental drill, comprising: a horizontally disposed support member securable. to a fixed point; a vertically disposed parallelogram mechanism.attached at one of its ends to said support member; a sup port arm carried by the free end of said vertically disposed parallelogram mechanism; selectively engageable locking means for adjusting the angularity between said free end and said support arm; a housing mounted by the free end of said support arm; a ball disposed within said housing; a finger formed on said ball and extending from said honsing; wedging blocks disposed within said housing; a set screw interconnecting said blocks, rotation of said set screw causing said blocks to be moved toward and away from one another so as to lock and unlock said ball relative to said housing; and, means for mounting said dental drill formed on said finger.

7. A support for a dental drill, comprising: a horizontally disposed parallelogram mechanism that includes a rear leg attachable to a fixed point, a pair of side legs of equal length pivotally secured at their rear ends to the sides of said rear leg, and a front leg pivotally counected at its ends to the front end of said side leg; a vertically disposed parallelogram mechanism that includes a rear arm and a forearrn which are interconnected by a horizontal pivot pin, a mounting element secured to the rear end of said rear arm, a bushing journaling said support element and keyed to said front arm, a fixed pulley keyed to said bushing, a second pulley keyed to said pivot pin, a continuous band connecting said second pulley and said first pulley, a second pivot pin journaled by the front end of' said forearm, a third pulley journaled by said second pivot pin; a scale ring carried by said third pulley, a second continuous band connecting said second and third pulleys, a disk carried by said second pivot pin and including a radially extending support arm, selectively engageable locking means between said disk and scale ring that When engaged will maintain said support arm at a desired angle during manipulation of the front end of said forearm; a housing mounted by the free end of said support arm; a ball disposed within said housing; a finger formed on said ball and extending from said housing; wedging blocks disposed within said housing; a set screw interconnecting said blocks, rotation of said set screw causing said blocks to be moved toward and away from one another so as to lock and unlock said ball relative to said housing; a tube rigidly mounted by said housing; a tube rigidly mounted by said finger; a shaft journaled within said tube, said shaft being attachable to a bit at its front end; an electn'c motor mounted by said mounting element; and, a flexible conductor interconnecting said motor and the rear end of said shaft.

8. A support for a dental drill, comprising: a horizontally disposed support member securable to a fixed point; a vertically disposed parallelogram mechanism that includes a rear arm and a forearm which are interconnected by a horizontal pivot pin, a mounting element secured to the rear end of said rear arm, a bushing journaling said support element and keyed to said horizontally disposed support member; a fixed pulley keyed to said bushing, a second pulley keyed to said pivot pin, a coutinuous band connecting said second pulley and said first pulley, a second pivot pin journaled by the front end of said forearm, a third pulley journaled by said second pivot pin; a scale ring carried by said third pulley, a second continuous band connecting said second and third pulleys, a disk carried by said second pivot pin and including a radially extending support arm, selectively engageable locking means between said disk and scale ring that when engaged will maintain said support arm at a desired angle during manipulation of the front end of said forearrn; a housing mounted by the free end 0f said support arm; a ball disposed within said housing; a finger formed on said ball and extending from said housing; wedging blocks disposed within said housing; a set screw interconnecting said blocks, rotation of said set screw causing said blocks to be moved toward and away from one another so as to l0ck and unlock said ball relative to said housing; a tube rigidly mounted by said finger; a shaft journaled Within said tube, said shaft being attachable to a bit at its front end; an electric motor mounted by said mounting element; and, a flexible couductor interconnecting said motor and the rear end of said shaft.

9. A support for a dental drill, comprising: a horizontal bar secured at its ends to a fixed point; a vertically disposed parallelogram mechanism that includes a rear arm and a forearm which are interconnected by a horizontal pivot pin, a mounting element secured to the rear end of said rear arm, a bushing journaling said support element and keyed to said horizontal bar for sliding movement therealong; a fixed pulley keyed to said bushing, a second pulley keyed to said pivot pin, a continuous band connecting said second pulley and said first pulley, a second pivot pin journaled by the front end of said forearrn, a third pulley journaled by said second pivot pin; a scale ring carried by said third pulley, a second continuous band connecting said second and third pulleys, a disk carried by said second pivot pin and including a radially extending support arm, selectively engageable locking means between said disk and scale ring that when engaged will -rnaintain said support arm at a desired angle during manipulation of the front end of said forearm; a housing mounted by the free end of said support arm; a ball disposed within said housing; a finger formed on said ball and extending from said housing; wedging blocks disposed within said housing; a set screw intereonnecting said blocks, rotation of said set screw causing said blocks to be moved toward and away from one another so as to lock and unlock said ball relative to said housing; a tube rigidly mounted by said finger; a shaft journaled within said tube, said shaft being attachable to a bit at its front end; an electric motor mounted by said mounting element; and, a flexible couductor interconnecting said motor and the rear end of said shaft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1189754 Trenaman July 4, 1916 

